SourcingOct 24, 2022
This Jewelry Auction Is Raising Money for BIPOC Makers Events & AwardsDec 14, 2022
MJSA Announces Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge Winner
Finalist designs featured gemstones from Columbia Gem House and were auctioned off for charity.
Cady Carlson Dill of Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Cady Carlson Designs had the winning design in this year’s MJSA Challenge, a competition produced in conjunction with Columbia Gem House and benefitting nonprofit organization Nest.
New York—Cady Carlson Dill of Cady Carlson Designs is the winner of the 2022 MJSA Challenge: Responsibly Sourced Design.
The competition doubles as a fundraiser, with finished jewelry entries auctioned off to benefit a charitable organization.
MJSA partnered with Columbia Gem House—a U.S.-based responsibly sourced colored gemstone supplier—on the competition and auction.
Every year, the challenge invites designers to create a jewel based on a fictional scenario.
This year, jewelry makers were asked to develop a design for a woman who was given up for adoption as a baby and reunites with her biological sister in adulthood.
Columbia Gem House donated metal and Oregon sunstone, Montana sapphire, Australian sapphire, and Brazilian citrine for designers to use in their final pieces.
Dill’s entry was a bolo-style necklace with an 8 mm Oregon sunstone at its center, surrounded by sapphires.
“I wanted to express their shared family history with the stones,” Dill said of her fictional sister clients. “The idea of family connections made me think of the double helix shape of DNA—I didn’t want to literally create that shape, but instead create something inspired by it.”
The bolo necklace represents two individuals coming together, the gemstones representing their unification.
Dill is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she designs with ethically sourced materials. Dill emphasizes recycling, often by reworking family heirlooms for her clients.
Dill’s piece, along with the other seven entries, were auctioned off to benefit nonprofit organization Nest. In all, they raised $7,000.
Nest aims to create a more inclusive and equitable world for artists, makers, and creatives.
The auction proceeds will specifically benefit Nest’s Makers United program, which will help one BIPOC jeweler scale their business.
“We wanted to select an organization that shared the beliefs of ethics and fairness, as well as [to] support those coming into the industry—particularly those who have traditionally had barriers to access,” says Natasha Braunwart, brand and corporate social responsibility manager of Columbia Gem House.
“The maker community is the lifeblood of this industry, and we wanted to find a way to collectively support equality in the future of the space. The synergy we found with the Nest team really made them the perfect fit to be the recipient of this year’s fundraiser.”
Columbia Gem House Founder and President Eric Braunwart added, “Participating in this project, whether it be designing, voting, or bidding, supports the well-being of the greater community within the gem and jewelry industry.
“It’s a reminder that the work you do can celebrate those around you and still make a positive impact.”
Related stories will be right here …
The competition doubles as a fundraiser, with finished jewelry entries auctioned off to benefit a charitable organization.
MJSA partnered with Columbia Gem House—a U.S.-based responsibly sourced colored gemstone supplier—on the competition and auction.
Every year, the challenge invites designers to create a jewel based on a fictional scenario.
This year, jewelry makers were asked to develop a design for a woman who was given up for adoption as a baby and reunites with her biological sister in adulthood.
Columbia Gem House donated metal and Oregon sunstone, Montana sapphire, Australian sapphire, and Brazilian citrine for designers to use in their final pieces.
Dill’s entry was a bolo-style necklace with an 8 mm Oregon sunstone at its center, surrounded by sapphires.
“I wanted to express their shared family history with the stones,” Dill said of her fictional sister clients. “The idea of family connections made me think of the double helix shape of DNA—I didn’t want to literally create that shape, but instead create something inspired by it.”
The bolo necklace represents two individuals coming together, the gemstones representing their unification.
Dill is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she designs with ethically sourced materials. Dill emphasizes recycling, often by reworking family heirlooms for her clients.
Dill’s piece, along with the other seven entries, were auctioned off to benefit nonprofit organization Nest. In all, they raised $7,000.
Nest aims to create a more inclusive and equitable world for artists, makers, and creatives.
The auction proceeds will specifically benefit Nest’s Makers United program, which will help one BIPOC jeweler scale their business.
“We wanted to select an organization that shared the beliefs of ethics and fairness, as well as [to] support those coming into the industry—particularly those who have traditionally had barriers to access,” says Natasha Braunwart, brand and corporate social responsibility manager of Columbia Gem House.
“The maker community is the lifeblood of this industry, and we wanted to find a way to collectively support equality in the future of the space. The synergy we found with the Nest team really made them the perfect fit to be the recipient of this year’s fundraiser.”
Columbia Gem House Founder and President Eric Braunwart added, “Participating in this project, whether it be designing, voting, or bidding, supports the well-being of the greater community within the gem and jewelry industry.
“It’s a reminder that the work you do can celebrate those around you and still make a positive impact.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
Weekly QuizJul 16, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
CollectionsJul 09, 2026
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is an Ode to the Human Touch“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
AuctionsJul 09, 2026
Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter Hires Former Bonhams Exec to Head New Watch DivisionNate Borgelt will lead the digital auction house and content platform’s new division as head of watches.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
